It was different from what I imagined. I thought she would tearfully share her memories of Blythe.

But out they came, one after another. Lili’s complaints about Blythe.

He was rough, his face was scary, he was unnecessarily large, he didn’t know how to treat women properly. I had heard some of that before from time to time, but now she added even more: that he was terrible at teaching swordsmanship, that his arrogant attitude towards His Majesty was unbearable to watch, that he would climb into bed dirty when tired, that when he wasn’t tired he would party at taverns night after night, that he had terrible sleeping habits, that he drank too much every day, that he would get into fights easily, that he neglected the knight corps too much, that he ate like a barbarian, that he was too sloppy with managing his finances, and that even if she did laundry every day, it wasn’t enough because he would soil his clothes so quickly.

It got to the point where I wanted to ask when it would end.

“I... see...”

It wasn’t just painful to hear. I had to hold back tears again. My hand holding the cup trembled.

Blythe, were you really loved like this?

Even so, Lili’s demeanor had changed from earlier.

“Fufu, ahaha, and you know, the truly amazing thing was on my birthday.”

“There’s still more!?”

“Yes. One day, Blythe suddenly went on an expedition alone, and he came back carrying the fresh hide of a monster. He gave it to me, saying it was high-quality fur and told me to wear it.”

I don’t remember at all, but he probably wanted something handmade to give her.

That much was fine. The idea itself was still within acceptable limits. Idiot. I was such an idiot back then. I should have had it properly tailored. Why did I hand over a freshly skinned pelt just like that?

All I could manage was a dry, awkward laugh.

“...Ha, haha, haha... That must have been pretty bloody...”

“Exactly! It's not like I'm an ogre wearing a loincloth! But according to him, it was durable and hard for blades to penetrate, so it was perfect for a woman like me who couldn’t handle the weight of metal armor.”

It was still an era without metallic thread. Maybe it wasn’t entirely wrong back then.

“Sounds stupid, but, at least he was thinking a little, I guess...”

“Fufu.”

If Lili would smile, then I didn’t mind being mocked.

Yeah. I was on the verge of tears, though.

Smile on the face, cry in the heart. It's tough being a man.

“Since I had no choice, the next day I took it to a materials shop to have it processed, and then another day went to a tailor to have it made into winter clothing. It cost me a fortune. And it’s only wearable in winter, mind you. It’s still in the closet over there. I'm determined to wear it until I get my money’s worth.”

So it wasn’t for combat use, just for winter wear. These days, instructor uniforms made with metallic threads are lighter and tougher anyway.

But judging by how she insisted on getting her money’s worth, it seemed the fur itself was of pretty high quality. That was a small consolation at least.

“I... see... Lili, you’re strong...”

“Well, of course. I was raised by someone like him, after all.”

That "someone" is sitting right here, though.

While smiling as she reminisced about Blythe, Lili’s expression suddenly clouded. It was just about the time the warmed milk had started to cool.

And then, Lili quietly murmured.

“That was the last birthday we spent together.”

“...When you were fifteen?”

“Yeah.”

If I was going to ask about the cause of Blythe’s death, now was the time.

But even as I opened my mouth, no words came out.

From the courtyard, I could hear the lively voices of students enjoying their holiday. It was lunchtime, so they were probably having sandwiches or lunchboxes together. Eating lunch outside tastes good.

Maybe Lili was thinking the same thing. Her gaze wandered wistfully to the window.

No, I can’t do it. I can’t. I can’t face Lili directly and ask.

I lifted my head.

“Shall we head to the cafeteria soon?”

“Ah... no. I’m...”

“Then maybe I’ll just go ahead first?”

“Already hungry?”

As if. My chest was so tight I couldn’t even think about eating.

I gave a wry smile.

“No. Not at all, actually.”

“Then don’t worry about it. Let’s talk a little more.”

“But if we keep going—”

Lili shook her head firmly.

“I want someone to hear it. Today, I just feel like that.”

I couldn't have wished for anything more, but... was it really okay? All I ever seemed to do was make Lili cry.

Half-risen from my seat, I hesitated, then sat back down.

“—That day.”

Lili’s voice quivered faintly.

“...?”

“The day Blythe died. No one living in this country knows what happened.”

“Eh...”

“No one except me.”

It felt like my heart was being squeezed painfully tight. Sweat started to bead on my forehead.

“Eremia, you learned about Blythe from books and documents, didn’t you?”

I couldn’t deny that, though I hadn’t actually read all that much.

“Yeah. And some modern history books too.”

“There are things not written in those.”

“Blythe fought on the battlefield and died in defeat, right?”

That’s the common knowledge for people living in the Kingdom. Probably even taught in elementary school history classes.

The battle at the Mardius Plateau in the northern kingdom. But I have no memory of it. I don’t even know who killed me.

I sat firmly back down in my chair.

“If they managed to kill Blythe, it must have been a master swordsman or a brilliant strategist with a clever plan.”

Honestly, I was curious. If it was the former, I even wanted to see them again.

But Lili slowly shook her head.

“It wasn’t?”

“It couldn’t have been something stupid like tripping and hitting his head, right?”

“Yeah.”

Lili bit her lower lip, her face contorted in frustration.

Her expression twisted into one of hatred, and the air around her brimmed with something like bloodthirsty anger.

And then, she spat the words out.

“—The one who killed Blythe wasn’t strong at all. Just a pathetic coward used for political convenience.”

Thus Lili began to speak, her voice a mixture of anger and sorrow, about the final moments of the man once called the Sword Saint.